Canadian Prime Minister’s First Ever Visit To Armenia Strengthens New European Union (EU)-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future.

Ottawa/Yerevan; May 2026: Yesterday on 04th May 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mike Carney concluded his first official visit to Armenia. He attended the 08th European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, marking the first time a non-European leader joined the Summit.

At the Summit, Prime Minister Carney held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Armenia, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Ukraine, the European Council, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. During these meetings, the Prime Minister positioned Canada as a premier destination for global capital and investment – including in critical minerals, energy, defence, and advanced technologies. These efforts will attract new investment into Canadian companies and projects, unlocking new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.

The meetings also focused on reinforcing collective security and transatlantic defence readiness, and advancing support for Ukraine. To that end, Prime Minister Carney announced Canada’s new contribution of approximately $270 million (US$200 million) toward critical military capabilities sourced from the NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL).

Over the past year, Canada and Europe have become ever closer – building stronger partnerships across trade, energy, and security. Last year, both the countries had forged the ambitious New European Union (EU)-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and the Security and Defence Partnership. In February, Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, unlocking billions of dollars in opportunities and market access for Canadian defence industries, businesses, and workers. Together, Canada and Europe are building on this momentum to unlock the full potential of this partnership.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Mike Carney has said, “As Canada works to diversify our international relationships, we look first to our longstanding European partners and allies. We share the history, values, and ambition to build a better, more just future. In a more dangerous and divided world, a stronger partnership between Canada and Europe will create more stability, more security, and more prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic”.

Prime Minister Carney’s presence at this summit is built on several actions over the past year to strengthen and expand Canada’s relationship with Europe, including:

• In June 2025, Canada and the EU announced the New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future and the Security and Defence Partnership to deepen cooperation across trade, technology, energy, and security.

• In February 2026, Canada became the first non-European country to join the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative – unlocking billions of dollars in opportunities and market access for Canadian defence industries, businesses, and workers.

• The EU is Canada’s second‑largest global trading partner for goods and services, with a total value of $178.6 billion in 2025.

• The EU is Canada’s second‑largest global source of foreign direct investment (FDI), after the United States. EU FDI stock in Canada was estimated at $218.8 billion in 2025, while Canadian direct investment in the EU totalled $297 billion.

• In 2025, Canada’s merchandise exports to Armenia totalled $25.3 million and merchandise imports from Armenia reached $12.8 million.

• Canada is building a trading network that is the envy of the world, with preferential access to 1.5 billion consumers across 16 free trade agreements, 51 countries, and roughly two thirds of global GDP.

• Canada is AAA-rated, has the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7, and ranks number one in the G7 for banking stability and number two globally for foreign direct investment confidence.

• Canada has the lowest marginal effective tax rate on new business investments in the G7.

It is of omnipotent importance that Canada’s Security & Defence Partnership was accoladed by the German Defence Minister David J. McGuinty on 12th February this year at Brussels. Minister McGuinty highlighted Canada’s ongoing commitment in strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence posture through a persistent military presence in Europe. He emphasized the importance of addressing current and emerging security challenges and their implications for transatlantic security. The Minister also reiterated Canada’s commitment to meet the 02% defence spending target this fiscal year and investing 05% of gross domestic product in defence by 2035.

Minister McGuinty also met with key Allies to discuss shared defence priorities and signed cooperative arrangements alongside his counterparts, which included:

A Roadmap toward a strategic partnership between Canada and France. The Roadmap is designed to deliver concrete, actionable outcomes across areas of shared interest and highlights the strategic value of the two countries’ cooperation to advance mutual defence priorities within the Alliance. During the meeting, the Minister announced that Canada is joining the Initial Alliance Future Surveillance Control Support Partnership Committee, enabling Canada to help shape decisions that advance Canadian industry and strengthen collaboration with NATO and European partners. Additionally, the Minister and NATO Allies signed a Letter of Intent on multinational approaches to military airworthiness to strengthen airpower resilience, readiness, and interoperability.

At the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Minister McGuinty reaffirmed Canada’s support to Ukraine and updated Allies on recent military assistance, including:

• $100 million in small arms and ammunition;
• $50 million to the Danish Model to purchase capabilities through Ukraine’s domestic industry, bringing Canada’s total contribution to $190 million;
• $45 million in critical medical equipment. 

Team Maverick.